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ave you ever gone camping or moved to a new neighborhood? It is always fun to get up and go exploring. God gave the Israelites a chance to explore their new land before they moved in.

hen Moses brought the Hebrew people out of Egypt, they marched from Goshen to the edge of the Red Sea. None of them knew the way, but God did. He led the people with a huge pillar of cloud. This cloud sheltered them from the hot sun during the day. At night the cloud gave them light and heat.

As the people neared the Promised Land, God told Moses to choose one leader from each tribe. These men were to spy out the land. “See what the land is like,” Moses told the spies. “And bring back some fruit.”

After 40 days the men returned. The Israelites came out to welcome the spies and hear their report. Caleb, a tall, strong man from the tribe of Judah, could hardly wait to give his report.

Joshua, a young leader from the tribe of Ephraim, had also brought a good report. Both Caleb and Joshua allowed the others to speak

first.“The land flows with milk and

honey, just as God told us,” the spies reported. “And we have brought back some

fruit.” Two men stepped forward with the huge bunch

of grapes they carried on a pole between them, but the other

spies spoke only about the walled cities and giants they saw in the land.

The people listening began to grumble and complain. Caleb could

see that their mood was growing ugly. Suddenly he stepped between Moses and the people. “We can go up at once and take possession of the land,” he

encouraged. “It is a good land, and we can certainly do it!”

Numbers 13:1-3, 17-33; Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 387-394Giants and GrasshoppersGiants and Grasshoppers

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Lesson

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The MessageWe encourage one another to follow the Lord.

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At that moment a dazzling light spread over the tabernacle, the Lord’s tent. The people backed away, fearful, squinting, shading their eyes with their hands.

Then the Lord spoke. “Because you people are afraid of entering the land, you will not do so. You will wander in the wilderness until all of you who are adults die. As for your children, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you rejected.”

But God promised Caleb and Joshua that they would go into the land because they spoke encouragement. Like Caleb and Joshua, we should encourage one another to follow the Lord.

Memory Verse“Let us . . . encourage one another”(Hebrews 10:25, NLT).“How can we?” the 10 discouraged spies

complained. “We felt like grasshoppers beside those people. And that is how we seemed to them!”

The people raised their voices and cried all night long. “It would have been better to die in Egypt or even here in the wilderness!” the people wailed. “Why is the Lord taking us into that land? We will be killed in battle, and our wives and children will be captured. Let’s go back to Egypt!”

Moses and Aaron fell with their faces to the ground. Caleb and Joshua were also distressed by Israel’s lack of trust in the Lord. They tore their clothes and held up their hands for silence.

“The land we explored is excellent!” the two faithful spies exclaimed. “Don’t be afraid of the people who live there. With God’s help we will conquer them easily. The Lord is with us; He has left them!”

Caleb looked out over the angry multitude. The other 10 spies mixed with the crowd, spreading discouragement.

Caleb shook his head. It was a good land, a beautiful land, rich and full of food. After all, it had taken two men to carry home one bunch of grapes! Yes, the people of the land were powerful. Their cities were well protected, but the children of Israel had God on their side.

Suddenly the crying and wailing of the people took an uglier turn. “Let’s stone them!” they muttered, pointing to Moses, Aaron, Caleb, and Joshua. “Stone them! Stone them!”

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OD If possible, go for a walk. Imagine you are a spy in Canaan. Describe what you see to your family. Read your lesson and Hebrews 10:25 together.

I NS G Sing together “Do, Lord” (Sing for Joy, no. 91).

E AR D During family worship, read Numbers 13:1-3, 17-20.

OD Try to find a Bible map of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. Trace their journey from Egypt to Sinai to Kadesh-barnea. Also find the Desert of Paran—from where Moses sent the spies.

OD Teach your memory verse to your family. Use the rhythm learned in Sabbath School.

H EAS R With your family, read Numbers 13:21, 23-28. What good things did the spies find in the land? Describe the people they saw. (The descendants of Anak were giants.) Draw a picture of the spies returning with the grapes (at Kadesh-barnea).

H KIT N How do you feel when you hear a good report? a bad report? Plan with your family to give someone a good report about heaven, our Promised Land.

I NS G Say or sing your memory verse for your family.

E AR D Read Numbers 13:30–14:4 during family worship. Is this a story of encouragement or discouragement? Why?

H EAS R Play the “Change Negative to Positive” game with your family. Everyone tells or writes words of discouragement you often hear. Then pass it to the next person. They change it to words of encouragement and read it aloud. (“It’s too cold today.” Change to “It is good to have a variety.”) Do you look for the bright side when you hear negative thoughts?

OD Say your memory verse together.

E AR D With your family, read in Numbers 14 what Caleb and Joshua did and said (verses 5-9). What were they trying to do? Did they succeed? (See verse 10.)

OD Whom do you know who might be feeling a little discouraged today? Write or draw an encouraging note to that person. Include your favorite encouraging Bible verse. Pray for that person today.

I NS G Sing “Smile, Smile, Smile” (Sing for Joy, no. 107).

S A B B A T H S U N D A Y

M O N D A YT U E S D A Y

W E D N E S D A Y

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E AR D During family worship, read Numbers 13:1-3, 17-20.

OD Try to find a Bible map of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. Trace their journey from Egypt to Sinai to Kadesh-barnea. Also find the Desert of Paran—from where Moses sent the spies.

OD Teach your memory verse to your family. Use the rhythm learned in Sabbath School.

OD Act out your lesson story for your family.

H EAS R Talk about some good things God has done for you.

OD Read 1 Timothy 2:2. Make and decorate a special triangular pennant for your pastor out of stiff cloth or paper. Attach it to a wooden dowel. Write the words “Yea, Pastor!” on one side, and “We’re praying for you!” on the other. Have everyone in your family sign their names. Give it to your pastor tomorrow. He needs encouragement too!

I NS G Sing or say your memory verse.

F R I D A YOD Together with your family, read about the

change of plans for Israel in Numbers 14:21-25, 30, 31, 34, 35.

H EAS R How could the story have had a happier ending?

OD Draw a different fruit for each family member. Write an encouraging Bible verse on each and give it to them.

I NS G Sing “Trust and Obey” (Sing for Joy, no. 113).

OD Call a friend and help them learn the memory verse. Ask if they have anything for which you could pray. Then pray together.

T H U R S D A Y

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When we wandered in the

wilderness, God gave us food, water, and ways to stay healthy. Our clothes

never wore out!

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